GORDON STRACHAN will wrap Stuart Armstrong and Matt Ritchie in cotton wool because he needs them to be heroes against Slovenia.

Scotland boss Strachan has concerns over all five strikers for the crucial World Cup clash, and believes Celtic star Armstrong and Newcastle ace Ritchie could be matchwinners from midfield in Sunday’s must-win crunch.

As a result both will sit out tomorrow’s clash with Canada at Easter Road.

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Steven Fletcher, Steven Naismith, Leigh Griffiths, Chris Martin and Jordan Rhodes have rarely featured or scored at club level in recent months.

But with Armstrong and Ritchie banging in 25 goals between them, Strachan will be hoping their rich vein of form can help keep Scotland’s slim World Cup hopes alive.

Strachan said: “Armstrong won’t play on Wednesday. He’s playing really well at the moment.

“What you must look at is if your strikers are not playing well, what do you do? Tom Cairney has scored a right few goals this year, Matt Ritchie has scored 13, Armstrong has scored 12, so there are guys in there with goals.

“That’s a bit disappointing for them and us, because that striking business, it’s like putting at golf. You can get to a certain stage with your game, but playing regularly is what makes you able to make that putt.

“It’s the same with the finishing for strikers. You need that clinical edge.

“In terms of games, the strikers have played hardly any. What you’ve got to look for then is who looks good, who looks strong, who is the fittest, who’ll last longest.”

Strachan will hand a first start to Bournemouth’s Ryan Fraser and Fulham star Cairney against Canada.

Listen to our podcast as Robert Grieve and Gareth Law discuss Gordon Strachan’s future if Scotland fail to beat Slovenia.